Applying to college can be a tough process. The Common App makes it easier, but you still need to make your application stand out. One way to do this is by listing your activities. But what about your personal website? Should you include it?
Including your website as an extracurricular activity on the Common App can be a great way to show off your skills and achievements. It gives colleges a deeper look at who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Your website can show your passion, creativity, and hard work.
But there are some things to think about before you list your website. You need to make sure it fits the Common App's rules for activities. You also want to describe it in a way that catches the eye of admissions officers. Let's look at how to do this the right way.
Key Takeaways
- A personal website can showcase unique skills and projects to colleges
- The description of the website on the Common App should be clear and impactful
- Additional materials can be used to provide more details about the website if needed
Understanding the Common App Activities Section
The Common App Activities section lets you showcase your extracurricular involvement. It's a key part of your college application where you can highlight achievements, leadership roles, and time commitments.
Navigating the Common Application
The Common App is used by over 900 colleges. It has several sections, including personal info, academics, and activities. The activities section allows students to list up to 10 extracurriculars.
For each activity, you can enter:
- Activity type (e.g. sports, arts, clubs)
- Position/leadership description
- Organization name
- Time commitment (hours per week and weeks per year)
- Participation grade levels
- A brief description (150 characters max)
Admissions officers use this section to get a fuller picture of who you are beyond grades and test scores.
Extracurricular Activities and Their Importance
Extracurriculars show your interests and skills outside the classroom. They can include:
- Sports teams
- School clubs
- Community service
- Arts programs
- Part-time jobs
- Personal projects
Colleges value quality over quantity. It's better to have deep involvement in a few activities than shallow participation in many. Leadership roles and achievements carry extra weight.
Strong extracurriculars can set you apart from other applicants with similar academic profiles.
Quantifying Your Involvement
Be specific when describing your activities. Use numbers and concrete details to show your level of commitment and impact.
For example:
- "Volunteered 5 hours weekly at local animal shelter"
- "Raised $2,000 for childhood cancer research"
- "Captain of varsity soccer team, led team to state finals"
Include your time commitment for each activity. Be honest about hours per week and weeks per year. This helps admissions officers understand how you manage your time.
If you held different positions over the years, list the highest one. You can note progression in the description if space allows.
Detailing Your Website as an Extracurricular Activity
Including your website on the Common App can showcase your skills and achievements. It's important to know when and how to list it effectively.
When to Include Your Website
Include your website if it shows significant effort and accomplishment. A personal blog with regular posts or a site for a business you started are good examples. Admissions committees look for extracurricular involvement that demonstrates commitment and growth.
Consider listing your website if: • It's been active for several months • You update it regularly • It has a clear purpose or theme • It shows your leadership or creativity
Don't include a website that's inactive or underdeveloped. Quality matters more than having a site just to list it.
Crafting Effective Activity Descriptions
Use action verbs to describe your website work. Words like "created," "managed," or "produced" show your active role. Be specific about what you've done and achieved.
Examples of strong descriptions: • "Designed and coded a responsive website showcasing local artists' work" • "Wrote weekly blog posts on environmental issues, growing readership to 500 subscribers"
Include measurable results when possible. Mention visitor numbers, subscriber growth, or any recognition received. This helps admissions committees understand the impact of your work.
Keep descriptions brief but informative. The Common App limits characters, so focus on key details that highlight your skills and dedication.
Maximizing the Impact of Your Application
Highlighting leadership roles and personal achievements can greatly strengthen a college application. These elements showcase a student's initiative, skills, and potential contributions to campus life.
Strategic Leadership and Service
Leadership positions demonstrate valuable skills to admissions committees. Students should focus on roles where they made a real difference. For example, being captain of a sports team and organizing fundraising events shows initiative and teamwork.
Community service projects also stand out. A high school student who starts a tutoring program for younger kids displays compassion and organizational skills.
Mentorship experiences are equally important. Leading a club or guiding new members shows the ability to teach and support others.
Demonstrating Personal Achievement
Personal projects and accomplishments reflect a student's passions and abilities. Winning competitions or awards in academic subjects or extracurricular activities is impressive.
Research projects, whether through school or independently, show intellectual curiosity. A student who conducts a science experiment and presents findings at a fair demonstrates initiative.
Creating impactful activities, like starting a blog or podcast, can highlight unique talents. These projects show creativity and commitment to personal interests.
Students should choose activities that truly reflect their strengths and interests. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to impressing admissions committees.
Supplementing Your Activities with Additional Information
The Common App offers a way to showcase projects and achievements beyond the standard activity entries. This section allows you to highlight important work that may not fit elsewhere.
Using the Additional Information Section
The Additional Information section provides space to expand on your experiences. You can use it to describe a personal website or other projects in detail.
This section is helpful for sharing volunteer work or other activities that don't fit in the main list. Admissions officers appreciate seeing a fuller picture of applicants' interests and skills.
When using this section, be clear and concise. Focus on how your projects demonstrate your strengths and relate to your goals. Avoid repeating information from other parts of your application.
Remember that the Additional Information section isn't required. Only include details that add value to your application. Quality is more important than quantity here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students often wonder about including personal websites on their Common App activities list. This section addresses key questions about listing websites, describing projects, and potential advantages.
How should I list a personal website as an extracurricular activity on the Common Application?
When listing a personal website, focus on its purpose and impact. Use clear, concise language to describe the site's content and your role in creating it. Include the time spent developing and maintaining the website.
Highlight any specific achievements or recognition the website has received. This could include visitor statistics, awards, or positive feedback from users.
What constitutes an extracurricular activity on the Common App, and would a self-developed website qualify?
A self-developed website can qualify as an extracurricular activity on the Common App. Extracurricular activities include any pursuits outside of regular academic work.
Personal projects that demonstrate skills, creativity, or commitment are valid entries. A website showcases technical abilities, content creation, and potentially leadership or entrepreneurship.
Can individual projects such as website creation enhance the activities section of the Common App for college admissions?
Individual projects like website creation can enhance a Common App activities section. These projects demonstrate initiative, creativity, and specific skills that colleges value.
Website creation shows technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to a long-term project. It can set an applicant apart by showcasing unique talents and interests.
What are examples of effective descriptions for leadership or initiative positions, like website development, in the Common App activities section?
Effective descriptions for website development focus on specific responsibilities and outcomes. For example: "Designed and coded personal blog with 10,000 monthly visitors. Created content on environmental issues, increasing local awareness."
Another example: "Developed e-commerce site for local artisans. Managed product listings and processed transactions, resulting in $5,000 in sales for community artists."
In what category should a personal project like a website be included on the Common App activities list?
A personal website project can fit into several categories on the Common App activities list. Common choices include "Computer/Technology" or "Journalism/Publication."
If the website focuses on a specific topic, it could also fall under categories like "Science/Math," "Community Service," or "Academic." Choose the category that best reflects the website's primary purpose.
Does including a self-made website in my Common App activities give me an advantage in college applications?
Including a self-made website can give an advantage in college applications by showcasing unique skills and initiative. It demonstrates technical abilities, creativity, and dedication to a project.
A well-described website project can help an application stand out. It provides concrete evidence of an applicant's interests and capabilities beyond traditional academic achievements.